College life is, at times, synonymous with late night studying, 10 page research papers, and coffee via IV. Amid the stress and pressures of college life, some students use recreational drugs in an effort to keep up with or stay ahead in their studies.
Students call them “study drugs” while scientists call them “cognitive enhancers,” but nevertheless, the use and distribution of such drugs is illegal without a prescription, and yet, college students are abusing them at an increasing rate.
One such drug is Adderall, an amphetamine drug commonly prescribed to people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. “Addy,” as students call it, is the most popular study drug on college campuses across the country, according to an article from NPR’s Michelle Trudeau. The ADHD drug market was a $4.8 million industry in 2008 according to Reuters.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, ADHD affects between 8 percent and 12 percent of children and 4 percent of adults in the U.S. ADHD is “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development.”
Physicians prescribe stimulant medications such as Adderall and Ritalin in order to treat individuals diagnosed with the disorder. The website warns users that these drugs can increase blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, decreased sleep and appetite, hostility and paranoia. At high doses, they can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including stroke.
A variety of conclusive medical research finds that stimulants can induce a rapid rise in dopamine in the brain, which is the likely cause of a high addiction rate among users. Withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, depression and disturbed sleep patterns.
Nearly one in five U.S. teens share prescription drugs with their peers, according to a new study released online by the Journal of Adolescent Health. One of the most used drugs was ADHD medications.
In 2008, The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that more than 7 million people in the U.S. have abused methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, to get high or to improve academic performance.
More than 40 percent of teens abusing ADHD drugs had moderate to severe side effects, and many ended up in emergency rooms.
Life-threatening symptoms include agitation, rapid heartbeat and extremely high blood pressure. Reuters reported that U.S. poison control centers received a 76 percent increase in calls over the past eight years for teens who overdosed on attention deficit disorder drugs.
The report showed the number of prescriptions doubled for such medications, from about four million eight years ago, to eight million prescriptions today, making it easier for teens to get the drugs without a prescription.
Many students claim these ADHD drugs boost their cognitive function and enables them to study for hours on end without feeling tired.
Claire, a junior at UNC Charlotte, said her physician diagnosed her with ADHD when she was in eighth grade.
“I started taking it, and it did help me, but with some unfortunate side effects,” she said. “I would get jittery and restless a lot.”
John, a sophomore, said he has taken an ADHD medication without a prescription several times.
“I have a friend who takes it, and I ask her for one every once in a while when I need an extra boost during midterms or finals. It really helps me stay up and study all night.”
Out of 30 UNC Charlotte students surveyed at random for this article, three out of five said they have taken ADHD medication for recreational purposes and more than half of those said they have taken it more than once. One of the students surveyed said he takes Adderall recreationally as much as three times a month in order to study for tests.
The Federal Drug Administration and physicians are trying to cut the recreational use of these drugs by regulating prescriptions for ADHD medications. Currently, doctors write prescriptions for drugs like Adderall for a three-month span, dated for one month at a time. When the prescriptions have expired, the diagnosed individual must visit the doctor for another three-month refill.
There are plenty of other effective study techniques to help struggling students, many of which are available on campus.
One option is The University Center for Academic Excellence, which offers a variety of tips for effective studying for college students. Students can browse an array of fliers for tips to help them study effectively, such as tutoring, peer mentoring, learning communities, workshops, courses and special note-takers. Students with special needs, such as learning disabilities, which include ADD and ADHD diagnosis, may visit the Office of Disability Services.
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